Dining

With newer cruise ships, it's all about choices! One evening you might enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the main dining room while another you opt for your ship's casual dining restaurant or one of the ship's specialty restaurants.

Regardless, you'll find an endless selection of entrees, appetizers, salads, soups, sides and desserts every time you sit down. And there's virtually no limit on what or how much you order. But just because your cruise ship offers plenty of delicious food doesn't mean you'll come home out of shape. You can choose low-calorie, spa or fitness menu selections that are just as tempting as those on the regular menu. Burning calories was never so much fun!

In addition to all the fabulous food and restaurants, a number of cruise lines allow guests to choose their own dining time. NCL's Freestyle Dining concept has been well-received by guests who love the freedom to dine whenever and wherever they like, and six-star lines such as Regent and Silversea also leave the option of dining time up to guests. Princess' Personal Choice Dining, Holland America's As You Wish Dining and Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining are now available in addition to their traditional dinner seating. There are even a few cruise lines that have eliminated the formal dress attire of traditional cruising for a more relaxed, casual dress code for dinner.

However, if you prefer traditional dinner seating with the same wait staff and table companions every evening, it is still available on most cruises and remains the favorite among new and past cruisers alike.

The number of dining venues and style of dining varies by cruise line and by ship, click on any cruise line name below for details.